Four students chosen for leadership program

Niagara-Wheatfield juniors Edwin Patterson and Anthony
Oliveri have been selected to attend this year's Boys State Program sponsored
by the American Legion Niagara Wheatfield Post 1451.

Kristen Cavalleri and Kelsey Nielsen were chosen to
participate in the Girls State Program sponsored by the American Legion
Auxiliary Wheatfield Post 1451.

These weeklong programs held each summer are leadership
conferences that promote civic involvement, patriotism, and an understanding of
the government process. Boys and girls across New York are chosen to
participate in the prestigious program. Students are selected based on
character, leadership potential, academic ability and responsibility.

Edwin Patterson is a captain of the track team and is also
a member of the N-W varsity swimming team and an active member of the Native
American Club. Additionally, he interns for the Tuscarora Environmental Program.
After high school, he plans to join the Marines for infantry. Through the Boys
State Program, Patterson hopes to further his leadership skills and gain
greater responsibilities.

Anthony Oliveri is a member of the N-W varsity baseball,
basketball, and football teams. He is also an active participant in LYNC
(Leadership for the Youth of Niagara County). He is planning to attend a
four-year college majoring in biochemistry. Oliveri hopes to improve his
leadership skills and learn more about our government and politics through his
Boys State experience.

Kristen Cavalleri is an enthusiastic member of the theater
club, PAVAS, where she participates in school musicals. She is also the
historian of National Honor Society and plays softball for the town of Wheatfield.
In addition, Cavalleri works part time at Wegmans. After high school, she would
like to major in communications or pre-law at a local college. Cavalleri said
she is excited for this great leadership opportunity.

Kelsey Nielsen, a member of the N-W soccer and basketball
teams, and was an actor in the high school musical, "Cats." Further, Nielsen is
a member of the National Honor Society and Business Honor Society and also
teaches vacation Bible school. Nielsen
aspires to be a high school English and special education teacher. She
too, hopes to increase her skills in leadership.

Students and staff at Niagara Wheatfield High School
credit the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary for continuing to
sponsor and support students, and are especially grateful to George Kralick and
Alice Renninger of the American Legion for their dedication and hard work to
the Boys State and Girls State programs.